5 The men of pride have put secret cords for my feet; stretching nets in my way, so that they may take me with their tricks. (Selah.)
For without cause they have put a net ready for me secretly, in which to take my soul.
When my spirit is overcome, your eyes are on my goings; nets have been secretly placed in the way in which I go.
They have made ready a net for my steps; my soul is bent down; they have made a great hole before me, and have gone down into it themselves. (Selah.)
Keep me from the net which they have put down for me, and from the designs of the workers of evil. Let the sinners be taken in the nets which they themselves have put down, while I go free.
And they kept watch on him, and sent out secret representatives, who were acting the part of good men, in order that they might get something from his words, on account of which they might give him up to the government and into the power of the ruler. And they put a question to him, saying, Master, we are certain that your teaching and your words are right, and that you have no respect for a man's position, but you are teaching the true way of God: Is it right for us to make payment of taxes to Caesar or not? But he saw through their trick and said to them,
And when he had come out of that place, the scribes and the Pharisees came round him angrily, questioning him about more things; And watching him, for a chance to get something from his words which might be used against him.
Is evil to be the reward of good? for they have made a deep hole for my soul. Keep in mind how I took my place before you, to say a good word for them so that your wrath might be turned away from them.
Then they said, Come, let us make a design against Jeremiah; for teaching will never be cut off from the priest, or wisdom from the wise, or the word from the prophet. Come, let us make use of his words for an attack on him, and let us give attention with care to what he says.
A man who says smooth things to his neighbour is stretching out a net for his steps.
Sinners have put a net to take me; but I was true to your orders.
The men of pride, who are turned away from your law, have put nets for me.
Let not the foot of pride come against me, or the hand of the evil-doers put me out of my place.
Take me out of the net which they have put ready for me secretly; for you are my strength.
Keep me as the light of your eyes, covering me with the shade of your wings, From the evil-doers who are violent to me, and from those who are round me, desiring my death. They are shut up in their fat: with their mouths they say words of pride. They have made a circle round our steps: their eyes are fixed on us, forcing us down to the earth; Like a lion desiring its food, and like a young lion waiting in secret places. Up! Lord, come out against him, make him low, with your sword be my saviour from the evil-doer.
The evil-doer in his pride says, God will not make a search. All his thoughts are, There is no God. His ways are ever fixed; your decisions are higher than he may see: as for his haters, they are as nothing to him. He has said in his heart, I will not be moved: through all generations I will never be in trouble. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and false words: under his tongue are evil purposes and dark thoughts. He is waiting in the dark places of the towns: in the secret places he puts to death those who have done no wrong: his eyes are secretly turned against the poor. He keeps himself in a secret place like a lion in his hole, waiting to put his hands on the poor man, and pulling him into his net. The upright are crushed and made low, and the feeble are overcome by his strong ones. He says in his heart, God has no memory of me: his face is turned away; he will never see it. Up! O Lord; let your hand be lifted: give thought to the poor.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Psalms 140
Commentary on Psalms 140 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
PSALM 140
Ps 140:1-13. The style of this Psalm resembles those of David in the former part of the book, presenting the usual complaint, prayer, and confident hope of relief.
1. evil man—Which of David's enemies is meant is not important.
2-5. This character of the wicked, and the devices planned against the pious, correspond to Ps 10:7; 31:13; 58:4, &c.
3. sharpened … like a serpent—not like a serpent does, but they are thus like a serpent in cunning and venom.
5. snare [and] net—for threatening dangers (compare Ps 38:12; 57:6).
6. (Compare Ps 5:1-12; 16:2).
7. day of battle—literally, "of armor," that is, when using it.
8. (Compare Ps 37:12; 66:7).
lest they exalt themselves—or, they will be exalted if permitted to prosper.
9. Contrasts his head covered by God (Ps 140:7) with theirs, or (as "head" may be used for "persons") with them, covered with the results of their wicked deeds (Ps 7:16).
10. (Compare Ps 11:6; 120:4).
cast into the fire; into deep pits—figures for utter destruction.
11. an evil speaker—or, "slanderer" will not be tolerated (Ps 101:7). The last clause may be translated: "an evil (man) He (God) shall hunt," &c.
12. (Compare Ps 9:4).
13. After all changes, the righteous shall have cause for praise. Such
shall dwell—shall sit securely, under God's protection (Ps 21:6; 41:12).